Our Story

We are Jess and Annie, cousins, soul sisters and fairly new mothers who are increasingly concerned about climate change, and how a hotter drier more polluted world could impact future generations.

We are a green team of two, supporting each other through the home greening process, from tearing up front lawns in favor of low-water native plants to strategizing about compost bins and grey water systems. As we switch out light bulbs, purchase energy star appliances and install solar panels, ever present in our conversations is the question of how to raise eco-minded kids, kids who not only turn off unneeded lights and recycle out of pure habit, but who also have a deep love for the natural world and its wonders.

Our aim here is to create a supportive online community with local flavor to inspire the greening of families in Los Angeles. We are starting with our own neighborhoods, and the people we know best: moms. We know that moms exert tremendous influence – in their families, in their communities, in schools and in their work-lives. We call that Momfluence – and we call on all momfluentials to join us to inspire, create and enjoy a greener world, one that starts at home, and has ripples through our neighborhoods, our cities and our world.

Jessica
I am a native New Yorker – didn’t learn to drive until I was 30 (Some would say I still should not have a license). I am mom to the fabulous 6-year-old Samara, wife to the very patient Robert, actress, chronic over-committer and lover of chocolate. I am fashion challenged so I probably shouldn’t be shopping at yard sales and the Salvation Army but I LOVE bargains and hey, it’s eco-conscious.

I love the mountains and the ocean and the daily opportunity to get outdoors that living in California offers. This year I am committed to planting a really fantastishish kitchen garden. Stay tuned.

Annie
I am a mom on a mission to raise my two boys as green as possible, which means we do a lot of walking to school and finding new uses for old things.  We also occasionally break into the “reduce, reuse, recycle” song at the dinner table.  Luckily, Alexander and Ryan, ages 10 and 6, find it all pretty amusing and hubby Jeb is a committed partner who embraces my enthusiasms.

I moved to Los Angeles nine years ago and am continually amazed at the energy and creativity of this place.  What seems to make it all work are the small communities within the megalopolis - I often say that I live in a village called Mar Vista.  When not doing laundry - does it multiply on its own?, I can often be found shopping at the local Farmers’ Markets and looking for monarchs in the milkweed.